Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’, particularly selected for its medium-sized plant with long trusses, its conic fruit with bright, intense red color, as well as its very early maturity, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed varietyof strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that isgrown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred inBrittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginianawith Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessoryfruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from thereceptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, seasonof ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certainvarieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development oftheir reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appearhermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female.Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involvespropagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare rootplants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. Duringthe off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright redcolor, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is apopular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in preparedfoods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, thereis a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, thereis a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable,high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to animproved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria xananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ originated from a crossbetween the proprietary female parent ‘974AC033’ (unpatented) and theproprietary male parent ‘ES089.028’ (unpatented). Progeny plants fromthis cross of ‘974AC033’ x ‘ES 089.028’, including‘DrisStrawEightyFour’, were asexually propagated via stolons inValladolid, Spain in August of 2018. Strawberry plant variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ was later specifically identified and selected inHuelva, Spain in 2019.

‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons,and has undergone testing at test plots in Huelva, Spain for two years(2018 to 2020). The present variety has been found to be stable andreproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations viastolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ was particularly selected for its medium-sizedplant with long trusses, its conic fruit with bright, intense red color,as well as its very early maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtainedby conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, thephotographs are of plants that are four to five months old fromplanting.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface of flowers of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lower surface of flowers of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 5 illustrates the upper surface of leaves of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 6 illustrates the lower surface of leaves of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 7 illustrates 3-month-old whole plants of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 8 illustrates 5-month-old whole plants of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

FIG. 9 illustrates 8-month-old whole plants of variety‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Huelva, Spain. Thisdescription is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations,color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate fromthe stated values and descriptions depending upon variation inenvironmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions.‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The botanical description of‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ was taken from plants that were four to fivemonths old from planting. The indicated values represent averagescalculated from measurements of several plants. Color references areprimarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Societyof London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows thePlant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd)edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless whereotherwise defined.

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEightyFour’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘974AC033’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘ES089.028’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—18.6 cm.        -   Diameter.—33.5 cm.        -   Height/width ratio.—0.55.        -   Number of crowns per plant.—4.1.        -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.        -   Density of foliage.—Dense.        -   Vigor.—Medium.-   Stolon:    -   -   Average number of stolons per plant.—8.54.        -   Stolon color.—RHS 145A (Strong yellow-green).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.        -   Stolon color with anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 174B (Greyish            reddish orange).        -   Density of pubescence.—Medium.-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.-   Leaf:    -   -   Leaf length (all leaflets together, excluding petiole and            stipules).—9.5 cm.        -   Leaf width (all leaflets together, excluding petiole and            stipules).—15.6 cm.        -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS 147A (Moderate olive            green).        -   Color of leaf lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate            yellow-green).        -   Blistering.—Medium.        -   Glossiness.—Absent or weak.        -   Variegation.—Absent.-   Terminal leaflet:    -   -   Length.—5.69 cm.        -   Width.—5.41 cm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.05.        -   Length in relation to width.—Moderately longer.        -   Shape.—Orbicular.        -   Number of teeth per terminal leaflet.—15.1.        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of apex.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Margin profile.—Revolute (margins rolled backwards).        -   Shape in cross section.—Concave.-   Petiole.—    -   -   Length.—126.2 mm; medium.        -   Diameter.—2.52 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 145B (Light yellow-green).        -   Pubescence.—Sparse.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Horizontal.        -   Bract frequency (number present on each petiole).—2.-   Petiolule:    -   -   Length.—7.1 mm.        -   Diameter.—1.63 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 145A (Strong yellow-green).-   Stipule:    -   -   Length.—22.4 mm.        -   Width.—5.9 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Weak.        -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 52D (Strong pink).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Average number of flowers per flowering truss.—1.        -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Above.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Attitude of hairs.—Upwards.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on non-flattened            flower).—38.6 mm.        -   Arrangement of petals.—Touching.        -   Calyx diameter.—51.8 mm.        -   Size of calyx in relation to corolla.—Larger.        -   Diameter of inner calyx relative to outer.—Same size.        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 162B (Moderate yellow).        -   Stamen.—Present.        -   Anther color.—RHS 163B (Strong orange yellow).        -   Pollen.—Color: RHS 163B (Strong orange-yellow).        -   Ovary.—Length: 12.5 mm. Diameter: 8.1 mm. Color: RHS 151C            (Strong greenish yellow).        -   Stigma.—Color: RHS 153C (Strong greenish yellow).        -   Petal.—Length in relation to width: Moderately longer. Color            of upper side: RHS NN155C (White). Color of under side: RHS            NN155C (White). Shape: Orbicular. Apex: Rounded. Base:            Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire.        -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to            receptacle): 24.5 mm. Width: 14.2 mm. Color: RHS 137B            (Moderate olive green). Shape: Oval. Apex: Convex. Margin:            Entire.-   Flowering:    -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Very early.        -   Flowering interval.—Mid-November to mid-May.-   Fruit:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Length: 48.3 mm. Width: 36.6 mm. Length/width            ratio: 1.32. Length in relation to width: Moderately longer.        -   Soluble solids in °Brix.—6.        -   Weight.—27.1 grams.        -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 16.34 mm. Width: 3.56 mm. Hollow            length/width ratio: 4.56.        -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or            very slight.        -   Fruit color.—RHS 45A (Vivid red).        -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Glossiness.—Medium.        -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.        -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.        -   Achene color.—RHS 146C (Moderate yellow-green).        -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.        -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly            larger.        -   Adherence of calyx.—Strong.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 44A (Vivid reddish            orange).        -   Evenness of color of the flesh.—Even.        -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.        -   Color of core.—RHS 44C (Vivid reddish orange).        -   Fruiting.—Time of beginning of fruit ripening: Very early.            Harvest interval: Mid-December to mid-May. Type of bearing:            Not remontant. Productivity: 1.4 kg to 1.7 kg of fruit per            plant per season from 6.5-month-old plants when grown in            Rociana, Huelva, Spain.        -   Shipping and storage characteristics (post-harvest            characteristics).—Following harvest, fruit can be stored for            7-9 days if maintained under cooled temperatures that are            standard for strawberry storage.-   Resistance to pests:    -   -   Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).—Moderately            susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ differs from the proprietary female parent‘974AC033’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ has a largerplant, smaller fruit, and better post-harvest qualities than ‘974AC033’.

‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ differs from the proprietary male parent‘ES089.028’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ has an earliermaturity and a larger fruit size than ‘ES089.028’.

‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ differs from the commercial variety ‘FloridaRadiance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,363), also known as ‘Florida Fortuna’,in that ‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ has a shorter and wider plant, lessserrations per terminal leaflet, and inflorescence above foliage,whereas ‘Florida Radiance’ has a taller and narrower plant, moreserrations per terminal leaflet, and inflorescence below foliage.

‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ differs from the commercial variety‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,400) in that‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ has dense foliage, crenate margins on terminalleaflets, an absent or very narrow width of band without achenes onfruit, and an absent or small fruit cavity, whereas‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ has medium density of foliage, serrate margins onterminal leaflets, a very broad width of band without achenes on fruit,and a large fruit cavity.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawEightyFour’ as shown and described herein.